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This week we celebrated my daughter’s 7th birthday. I can hardly believe that she is already seven, and even though I used to huff when people would say “It goes by fast”, now I get it. Life does go by quickly.

To honor my daughter during this special week of her birth, here are seven wishes I have for her as she grows up. They are also wishes for all daughters around the world.

I wish for you to be bold. Bold in your actions. Bold in your wisdom. Strong in your determination, spirit, relationships, and faith. Be brave in your choices; especially the ones that are difficult to make. Take a stand, even if other people do not see the value of it. Do not be afraid to be a strong, independent girl. The world needs them.

I wish for you to find glimpses of humor throughout life’s circumstances. Laugh at the whimsy and silly things. Giggle at the irony that life will throw you sometimes. Enjoy those gut-busting, pee-your-pants moments. Humor is essential for survival, and for recovery. Seek it. Keep it. Help others to find it.

I wish for you to find love and friendship that is defined by acceptance, commitment, and contentment. Love and friendships are both the most blessed experiences in life. May they be filled with people who accept the whole of who you are, because you are incredibly special. Don’t ever forget that, and don’t settle for anyone who doesn’t see you the same way. (And, the best kinds of friends are the ones who will cry with you, and share in those gut-busting, pee-your-pants times of laughter.)

I wish for so many moments that will give thrill to the adventure-seeking, curious little thing that you are. Don’t be scared to try new things. Try exotic foods. Seek to conquer your fears. Meet exciting, and slightly unusual people (I have found that they are usually the most entertaining and loyal). If you dream of it, then go for it. And, it’s okay to skydive…just don’t tell me when you do.

I wish for you to see life as one big learning curve. You will make mistakes and have some regrets (when you are a little older, I might just share a few of mine with you), and that’s okay. Your mistakes, regrets, and need for a do-over are what refine you as a human being. Don’t be scared to fail. Failing is a part of success. Just don’t be scared to try. Let others teach you, but also teach others. Continue learning throughout your life, as there is always something new to learn.

I wish for you to look in the mirror and see the reflection of a beautiful, purposeful, precious soul created by our Heavenly Father. Embrace your flaws, but also embrace your beauty. From the strands of your hair, to the tips of your eyelashes, fingers, and toes, every ounce of your being was put on this Earth for a specific purpose that only you can fulfill. Carry that thought with you, sweetie. When you are down, remember it. When you are scared, embrace it. When you forget it, pick up your Bible, and be reminded.

I wish for you to always cling to the fact that you are so deeply loved by your family, and always will be. Our life intertwining was not by accident. You were meant to be our daughter, and we were meant to be your parents (even though at times we are the “meanest parents in the world”). Nothing you can ever do will make us love you less. With each passing day, I marvel at the unique little girl that you are. It is an honor to call you daughter.

Happy Birthday, Sis.

“In my daughter’s eyes, I can see the future. A reflection of who I am, and what we’ll be. And though she’ll grow and someday leave, maybe raise a family. When I’m gone I hope you’ll see how happy she made me. For I’ll be there in my daughter’s eyes.”

-Martina McBride, “In My Daughter’s Eyes”

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Sometime before I knew what my plan to become a parent would look like, I heard a song that I just fell in love with. I’m not a country music fan really, but the song “In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride stuck on my heart. I heard it on a television show and truly thought that one day, if I ever got to adopt a daughter, this song would mean so much to me.

Here I am now, the mother of a son and a daughter. Our adoption anniversary for our daughter is this coming Monday, February 11th. She has been “legally” our daughter for three years now; although, she felt likes “ours” the moment we met her. For our son’s adoption celebration, we made a movie of images of him set to a song about adoption. For our daughter’s celebration, we chose the song “In My Daughter’s Eyes” for the background music for the video we made of her.

In honor of our third adoption anniversary, I thought I would share the words to this song with pictures of her.

In my daughter’s eyes, I am a hero I am strong and wise, and I know no fear. But the truth is plain to see. She was sent to rescue me.

I see who I want to be, In my daughter’s eyes.

In my daughter’s eyes, everyone is equal.

Darkness turns to light, and the world is at peace.

This miracle God gave to me, gives me strength when I am weak.

I find reason to believe in my daughter’s eyes.

And when she wraps her hand around my finger.

Oh, it puts a smile in my heart. Everything becomes a little clearer, I realize what life is all about.

It’s hanging on when your heart has had enough.

It’s giving more when you feel like giving up. I’ve seen the light, it’s in my daughter’s eyes.

In my daughter’s eyes, I can see the future.

A reflection of who I am and what will be.

And though she’ll grow and someday leave, maybe raise a family.

When I’m gone I hope you see, how happy she made me.

For I’ll be there, in my daughter’s eyes.

The part of the song that talks about hanging on when your heart has had enough always gets to me. There were times growing up in the shadow of infertility that I thought my heart could not stand anymore. I never considered throwing in the towel as an option for me, but, there were moments throughout my adolescents and adulthood where I thought I could not take anymore heartache.

Now, I know that hanging on is worth it. It is worth it to have hope for the future. It is worth it to strive to achieve what your heart’s desires are.

It was so worth taking the leap of faith that led to foster care and adoption.

It is in my children’s eyes that I see why this journey we call life is so worth it.

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About Me

Hello, friend! My name is Caroline. I'm a wife and mother of three children. In 1983, at the age of eleven, I became gravely ill and ended up needing an emergency hysterectomy. I am blessed by the adoption of my children and have great peace with my "lot in life".
I am deeply passionate about encouraging others struggling with infertility and about advocacy for foster care (two of our kids were adopted out of foster care). I no longer consider myself barren. I consider myself fruitful, joyful, whole and blessed.
Photo Credit: Randy Bacon, Photographer www.7billionones.org